Page 34 of The Demon Court

Maybe she needed to go visit other towns. Her mother had been so adamant that the kingdom was suffering. Their purpose was just and true. Selene wouldn’t have been sent out into a prospering kingdom simply because her mother wanted power.

She paused while brushing her hair, staring into her own reflection in the mirror. She had more conviction than this. A few weeks in a castle should not change her opinion of her own people.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She hadn’t called for anyone to attend her, but these servants were incessant! She knew it was because Lust had allowed her mother’s rumors of their upcoming marriage to spread. Why, she had no idea. Her dismissal of him had embarrassed the man in front of all his people.

If that hadn’t gotten him to reconsider all this, she didn’t know what else would.

At some point soon, she needed to find him. To apologize and simper and do all the things that her mother would tell her to do. After all, she’d been the idiot who had angered him when she was supposed to be getting him under her thumb. Or at least getting him to ignore her so she could snoop around for the truth.

He just made her so angry! Why did he seem to think it was acceptable to startle her rather than welcome her?

“Come in,” she called out.

She watched in the mirror as the door slid open, but no one stood on the other side. Frowning, she twisted around and searched the floor for a misty substance. Affection had been visiting her often, although the poor thing had only gotten more weak lately. It refused to explain why it was having a hard time even rolling across the floor.

“Affection?” she asked.

She heard the faint sound of someone clearing their throat, but... What was going on?

Standing, she smoothed her hand down the dark bodice of her gown. The high neckline was stiff with gold embroidery, trailing down into long sleeves that almost covered her hands. The tight waistline accentuated the hourglass of her shape and draped in lovely, stiff pressed lines all the way to the floor. It was one of her favorite gowns, and she wore it only because Lust would hate it if he saw her.

Gathering up a handful of her hair, she twisted it over her shoulder as she sighed and walked toward the door. “I told you all, I have no need of assistance. Thank you for offering, but I’m perfectly capable of dressing myself.”

She meant to slam the door shut and lock it. Curiosity, however, had other plans. She should stuff that emotion into the lake with the rest of them, but she still poked her head out and glanced to the left down the hall. Nothing. Of course not.

Yet again she heard someone clear their throat and she looked the other way. Lust leaned against the wall next to her bedroom door. He had his ankles crossed, broad shoulders leaning against her wall while he completely ignored her. He stared down at his fingernails, then splayed his hand wide.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Hmm?” He looked over at her, pretending he had no idea she was there. “Oh, there you are.”

She wanted to grind her teeth. Unfortunately, this meddlesome demon was a little too aware of everything around him, and he’d notice. Instead, she forced herself to smile. “I take it you were looking for me?”

He looked at her, and his eyes widened in shock. “Oh, that’s a terrible expression. Stop doing that.”

“What?”

Lust waved at her face. “Whatever you’re doing with your face.”

“I’m not doing anything odd. I’m just smiling at you.”

“That’s a smile?” He curled his lip. “Stop it. Right now.”

“I’m not...” She sighed and let the fake smile drop. “Fine. What do you want?”

“We’re going. You’re dressed well enough.” Though his eyes skating up and down her body clearly said otherwise. “I suppose you’ll be... warm.”

“Oh, please. You hate the dress, that’s why I picked it.” Selene crossed her arms over her chest. “Where are we going? I dislike surprises.”

“Of course you do. You’re no fun at all.” He held his hand out for her to take. His fingers were long and stronger than she’d thought they would look. Lovely hands, really. “You were the one who said I needed to work on you trusting me. And now I am asking you to do just that.”

“You have given me no reason to trust you.”

“And I have given you no real reason not to, either.” He waggled his fingers. “I promise not to shave your head, force you to remove your clothing, or otherwise startle you. Not today, at least.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

Selene glared down at his hand. But the hand wasn’t the problem. His sudden change in demeanor was. Why did it matter to him if she trusted him? He had a hundred, probably a thousand, other women who were happy to warm his bed.

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